The Arizona Princesses have tea with Cinderella

and, according to Kelly, Grace really is enjoying her tennis lessons, although this photo may lead you to think otherwise!

Hugh and Diane's Awesome Sunday

We were lucky enough to get tickets for the service at the National Cathedral today, when Katharine Jefferts Schori was to be installed (seated) as the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.
So, this morning we left the house at 7:00, and drove to the Vienna Metro Station. Took the Metro to Tenleytown, then took a bus to the cathedral. The service was to begin at 11:00; it was about 10:15 when we got there, and all the seats in the nave were already taken (except for some that were directly behind the huge pillars). But there were lots of chairs set up in the side aisles, and video screens so you could watch the proceedings, so we sat ourselves down there. Five or six other people joined us there, and we were perfectly happy and anticipating the celebration, when an usher came up to us, counted us, and then said "This group. How would you like to sit in the great choir, where Katharine will be seated?" I don't think any of us really knew what that meant, but we all jumped up and said yes. So he led us to the front of the cathedral, walked us through the transept that was full of Bishops, up through the chapel that is behind the great organ, past the high altar, and then to the seats in the great choir, which is behind the rood screen and in front of the high altar.

We thought that was great fun, but then it was pointed out to me that I was sitting in the seat reserved for the chaplain of the House of Representatives. Wow! We were thrilled! Then we discovered that we were RIGHT NEXT to the Presiding Bishop's seat!

This is the sign that was on the seat I was escorted to.


Here is an official photo from the Episcopal Church website. The "seat" of the presiding bishop is that structure to the right, with the flowers. Bishop Katharine is about to be escorted up those stairs to the seat. If you look to the left a bit, in the back row, you can see a person in red. You would recognize me if you could zoom in!

Later, when it was time to take communion, they had stations set up all around the cathedral, with one of them right in front of the high altar, which was the one that we were to use. What a surpise when Bishop Katharine walked back there, and we were to get into the line where she was offering the communion. I was so taken by it all that I didn't even notice that the row I was in had all filed down to take communion; Hugh had to come back to get me! (I like making scenes).